Oral Health for Children

The importance of oral health includes much more than just healthy teeth. Good oral hygiene is a combination of healthy gums, tissues that line that throat and mouth, soft and hard palates, tongue, salivary glands, lips, upper and lower jaws, chewing muscles and the blood vessels that link the mouth with the body. With good oral health, there is a much lower risk of various oral conditions and diseases that can affect self-esteem, social interaction and overall taste of the foods you eat. Here you will learn how to practice positive oral heath which can result in a beautiful, healthy smile. 

Teeth and Gums

Although the start of basic teeth structure is present even before birth, babies typically do not have any visible teeth until they are 6 to 12 months in age. These are known as the “primary” or baby teeth and most children will have a full set of 20 by the time they reach 3 years of age. When a child reaches the age of 5 or 6, these teeth begin to fall out and a new, permanent, set of teeth begins to settle in. By age 12 or 13, many kids have a full set of 28 permanent teeth. Between ages 17 and 21, the four wisdom teeth located at the back of the mouth grow in to make a complete 32 set of adult teeth. Teeth are composed of two basic parts, the crown located above the gum line and the roots that link the teeth to the jaw. Since they are used for chewing and crunching food, teeth must be very hard. This hard material is made up of phosphorus, calcium and other salt minerals. The majority of the tooth is known as dentine while the shiny, outer layer that is brushed is called the enamel. Humans have 4 general types of teeth that each includes their own basic function. Incisors are the first type and are used for cutting bites of foods. Cuspids, sometimes called canines, are the second type used for tearing food. Bicuspids contain two points and are used for tearing and crushing food. Molars are the last type and feature large flat surface used to crush and grind food.

Brushing and Flossing 

The toothbrush contains several essential parts needed to properly clean on and in-between teeth. On a manual toothbrush, the head can be designed in various shapes and sizes to accommodate each mouth. The most common types of toothbrush heads include compact, full, oval and rectangle (tapered). The bristles on a toothbrush can vary in lengths and firmness. Common bristle types include firm, medium, soft, extra soft, sensitive and extra sensitive. The handle, or body, of the toothbrush is created in various colors, designs, lengths and widths to fit in the hand firmly. It’s important to brush your teeth a minimum of twice per day, morning and night. Place the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and firmly press and rock the toothbrush back and forth and in small circular motions. Avoid scrubbing the teeth or brushing too hard as this can scratch the enamel and separate the teeth from the gums. Brush all surfaces of the teeth and in-between the teeth, paying special attention to the front teeth. To remove plaque from the tongue that can cause bad breath, use your regular toothbrush or a specific tongue brush to clean the tongue. Floss at least once per day using the finger wrap method. Cut a piece of floss about 18 to 20 inches in length. Wrap one end of the floss around your right middle finger and the other end around your left middle finger. Tighten the floss and gently go in and out between the teeth to remove excess food and bacteria. It’s recommended to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. 

  • American Dental Association: ADA for kids features oral health animations, visits to the dentist and teeth activities.
  • Mouth Power Online: Here kids will discover the health secrets to a beautiful smile with teeth care tips.
  • My Smile Kids: Learn about dental health through fun stories, games and oral hygiene tips.
  • Children and Youth Health: Find the causes of bad breath, signs and symptoms, and bad breath treatment.
  • The Kid’s Club: Delta Dental presents dental Q&A, trivia, games, coloring pages, cartoons and educational information. 

Cavities 

Cavities, or tooth decay, are influenced by many factors including our lifestyle, what we eat, our oral hygiene, the presence of fluoride in our drinking water and the toothpaste that we use. Heredity can also play a major role in our risk of tooth decay. Children and adults are at risk for the 3 general types of cavities, coronal, root and recurrent decay. Coronal cavities are the most common type that occur in both children and adults and are located in between teeth or on chewing surfaces. Root cavities are caused by receding gum lines and occur in these exposed root areas. Recurrent decay occurs around crowns or fillings as these areas are susceptible to plaque. If left untreated, cavities can continue to decay the teeth, resulting in infection or an abscess. Once an abscess occurs, the only treatments are oral surgery, tooth extraction or root canal. A root canal is a dental operation that includes the pulp of the tooth getting cleaned out then the space is disinfected and filled. To prevent cavities, it’s important to follow a strict oral hygiene regiment. Regular brushing, flossing and dental checkups can help stop minor dental problems from turning into major ones. Eat a well balanced meal and avoid sugary or starchy foods. Drink plenty of fluoride filled drinking water and use dental products that include fluoride.

  • PBS Kids: Tooth decay activities for children, games and printables.
  • Children’s Hospital at Stanford: Learn about tooth decay, caries or cavities, symptoms, risks and prevention.
  • Tooth Fairy: Read about important topics including when kids loose their baby teeth, eruption chart and plaque.
  • Fluoride and Water: Learn about the importance of involving fluoride and water into your daily diet.
  • Oral Health Resources: Cavity prevention tips for preschoolers and tooth decay information.

Diseases and Prevention

Cavities are not the only type of oral problem that can cause the breakdown of teeth and gums. Other oral diseases and conditions include gum diseases, such as gingivitis and periodontal disease, as well as oral cancer. Gum disease is the inflammation of the gums, tissues and bones that support the teeth. Healthy gums are pink, not red, in color, are firm and free of swelling and inflammation. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease that is characterized by red, swollen or puffy gums, persistent bad breath, gum pain and blood while brushing. Gingivitis is caused by the combination of plaque and sugar from the foods we consume that affect the surfaces of the teeth and gums. Periodontal disease affects the gums and bones that keep the teeth in place. It is not possible to reverse any damage caused by Periodontal disease and if left untreated, can lead to the weakening of the teeth and gums. Maintaining healthy gums and teeth through good oral hygiene, as well as yearly dental checkups is the building blocks to the prevention of oral diseases and conditions.

  • Children and Gum Disease: Here you will learn about the types of periodontal diseases that can occur in children.
  • Gum Disease in Children: More than 39% of children have gum disease. Learn how to prevent it.
  • Kids Encyclopedia: Learn about the causes, symptoms, prevention, diagnoses, treatment and complications of gingivitis.
  • Periodontal Disease Risk Factors: Discover the symptoms, causes, risk factors and prevention of periodontal disease.
  • Aqua Fresh: Learn about permanent teeth, brushing tips, gum and teeth disease and visiting the dentist. 

Braces and Other Cosmetic Solutions 

Over the years, braces have evolved and are now the number one way to straighten teeth for both adults and children. Not every type of braces will work for you so it’s best to speak with a qualified orthodontist to help make a decision on which type of braces will be best for your specific situation. Metal braces are made from stainless steel and are known as “traditional braces”. Brackets are glued to the teeth surface and wire is strung through the brackets to straighten the teeth. Ceramic and clear braces work in the same basic way as traditional braces but often result in less gum pain. The brackets are made from a clear material, allowing the braces to appear less noticeable then metal brackets. Lingual braces are similar to traditional metal braces but are put on the inside of the teeth, instead of the outside. Invisalign braces are the newest type and are formed into a removable, clear mold for your specific teeth structure. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign are removed for eating and are usually unnoticeable to those who are unaware that you have them. Teeth whitening is another common cosmetic procedure that restores the tooth’s surface color by removing stains. There has been a possible link between tooth whitening and oral cancer as the chemicals involved in whitening can cause gum, teeth and tissue breakdown. Teeth straightening methods are important procedures as crooked teeth can cause bacteria buildup between teeth, leading to infection and harder to clean surfaces.

  • Orthodontics and Braces: Here you will learn about dental procedures, fillings, braces, sealants and wisdom teeth extraction.
  • Braces and Retainers: Find information about the dentist, braces and retainers and your wisdom teeth.
  • Teeth Whitening: Types of teeth whitening and safety concerns associated with home and office teeth whitening methods.
  • Wisdom Teeth: Learn about wisdom tooth extraction and information on teeth straightening.
  • After Braces: Information on how to maintain your teeth after getting your braces taken off. 

Cutting Out Sugar and Other Harmful Foods 

Foods that contain high amounts of carbohydrates and sugar can negativity impact your teeth. Sugary foods and beverages, such as candies, soda and cookies, are the leading cause of cavities. Dental problems are often caused by an improper diet and poor oral hygiene. Double refined foods, such as white flour and wheat flour, are especially harmful to the teeth. These include products such as doughnuts, breakfast cereals, bagels, sandwiches and pastries. Replacing these types of foods with better choices can greatly lower the risk of oral diseases and conditions. It’s important to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Nuts, fish and meats are also good for your teeth. Proper brushing and flossing techniques should follow each meal to reduce bacteria buildup. Simply by following a well-balanced diet and maintaining good oral health practices, dental issues may cease to exist.

Tobacco and Oral Health

Tobacco is another important factor that should not be overlooked in maintaining oral health. Most children associate tobacco use with other serious health factors and not always with their teeth. While it is wise to never use tobacco products as they cause a wide range of serious health implications; cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco drastically and negatively affect a child's oral health. Perhaps the most noticeable effect of tobacco use on a smile is stained teeth. This is caused by sticky tar deposits and residue causing brown and yellow stains. Bad breath is also a common ailment for a smoker. Other side effects that can occur are the development of plaque, a smoker's palate, loss of taste, limited blood flow to the gum tissue, gum recession, gum disease, oral lesions, and oral cancers of the mouth pharynx, larynx, and esophagus to name a few.

More Educational Information 

  • Kids Tooth Care: Printables, fun activities and games for tooth care from Nick. Jr.
  • Teaching Kids Healthy Smiles: Find activities, worksheets, coloring pages, puzzles, animations, games, quizzes and songs.
  • Colgate Kids World: Kids can play online games, puzzles and fun activities that teach about keeping teeth healthy.
  • Learning Games: Here you will find various dental and health games for kids.
  • Tooth Game: The official tooth game from Dentistry.com with a goal to brush hard to reach spots.